RTPI East Midlands Planning Excellence Awards & Reception 2026
Celebrating planning excellence, recognising new talent, and bringing the profession together through insight and conversation.
The planning profession is the lynchpin of the built environment, yet it currently operates in a high-pressure landscape where the art of planning can often be lost in the process. This year, we are flipping the script.
Join us for a high-energy celebration that moves away from the traditional sit-down format. We are bringing together the entire Built Environment Puzzle - housebuilders, architects, and designers - to celebrate our newest Chartered members and announce the winners of the 2026 RTPI East Midlands Awards for Planning Excellence. This is the night to celebrate the prestige of our profession and the collaborative bold moves needed to move the East Midlands forward.
Venue: Albert Hall Conference Centre, Nottingham
Dress code: Not black tie - smart / business attire (no jeans)
The evening itinerary
18:00 | A soulful reception
Arrival drinks and networking featuring live music from Kat Kyrris. Kat performs well-known songs from across the decades in a jazzy, soul, and blues style, creating a stripped-back, reworked atmosphere to suit a laid-back start to the night.
19:00 | Formal opening & Presidential address
Our Regional Chair Chrissy Farrer opens the evening, grounding us in the East Midlands’ successes. We will feature a keynote on the vision of the profession from our past RTPI President, Sue Bridge followed by a reality keynote from James Wilson Managing Director of leading regional housebuilder Davidsons Homes on the art of delivery and the commercial value of Chartered partners.
19:25 | Welcoming our newly Chartered members
formal recognition ceremony for the region’s newest Chartered Town Planners (MRTPI) introduced by Sarah Marsh RTPI East Midlands Young Planners Chair. We celebrate the hard work, ethical commitment, and prestige of those reaching the gold standard of the profession this year.
19:45 | The built environment puzzle panel
Hosted by Megan Wilson, this 25-minute cross-sector debate puts the puzzle back together. Our panel includes:
Planning expert - Sue Bridge FRTPI - past RTPI President
The LPA perspective - Brian Taylor - Head of Planning Peak District National Park Authority
The housebuilder - James Wilson - Managing Director Davidsons Homes
The visionary architect - Sheleendra Fernando - Managing Director 24 three
The green infrastructure specialist - David Singleton DSA Environment & Design Ltd - Landscape Architects
The urban designer - Dr Laura Alvarez - East Midlands Convenor - Urban Design Group and Design and Placemaking Lead at Nottingham City Council
The panel will tackle how we navigate a system under pressure and why Chartership is the shield required for high-quality delivery.
20:10 | 2026 Awards: The winners
The highlight of the evening. We will announce the winners of the 2026 Awards for Planning Excellence live, celebrating the projects and teams that have set the benchmark for our region.
20:30 | Buffet & networking
With the winners crowned, we open the celebration buffet. A chance to toast the winners, meet the new Chartered members, and network with the cross-sector panel in a high-energy, social setting.
22:00 | Event close
Getting to the venue
The Albert Hall is Located in the idyllic Castle Zone part of the City Centre, some of the architecture in the vicinity is amongst the finest in the City, and this upmarket area is highly desirable being only 2 minutes walk from Nottingham City Centres vibrant hub - The Old Market Square and yet retaining a peaceful and relaxing ambiance associated with Wellington Circus.
Address
Albert Hall Conference Centre
North Circus Street
Nottingham
NG1 5AA
Arriving by Car
Set your sat nav to NG1 5AA or NG1 5AE.
From the M1: Follow signs for the City Centre via Junction 24, 25, or 26.
Approaching the Venue: Enter the city via Tollhouse Hill and take the new cut-through to Derby Road, then turn immediately left onto North Circus Street.
Parking
Discounted Rates: We offer validated parking at the Mount Street and St James Street NCP car parks. Remember to get your ticket validated at our reception.
Alternative Options: Secure parking is also available at Q-Park Talbot Street or Victoria Centre (approx. 15-minute walk).
Blue Badge
Dedicated spaces are available directly on North Circus Street.
Arriving by Foot
The Albert Hall is conveniently located in the city centre, just a short walk from major landmarks:
From Old Market Square: Head west toward the Nottingham Playhouse; we are a 9-minute walk away.
From Nottingham Train Station: A pleasant 15–18 minute walk. Simply follow the signs toward the city centre and the Nottingham Playhouse.
Main Entrance: Look for the large dark wood double doors on North Circus Street, directly opposite St Barnabas Cathedral.
Arriving by Bus
Nottingham’s extensive bus network makes reaching us easy:
City Centre Stops: Most major bus routes stop at Old Market Square or Angel Row, both of which are under a 10-minute walk from the venue.
From the Train Station: Catch the 49X or similar routes from the station to Angel Row for a quick 6-minute journey.
Regional Coaches
The venue is a 15-minute walk from both the Victoria Bus Station and Broadmarsh Bus Station.
Access and inclusion
We're committed to making sure everyone has a great experience at our events. Once you've booked, we'll get in touch to talk through any access needs or requirements you might have. If you have any questions in the meantime, just contact Shona Munro - we're here to help.
The event will take place on the ground floor, which is fully accessible. Disabled access is at the back door.
Accessibility at the Albert Hall
We are committed to making our historic venue welcoming for everyone.
Step-Free Entrance
An accessible level entrance is located at Entrance 4, directly off the Maid Marian Way roundabout. Simply use the intercom for staff assistance.
Venue Navigation
All ground-floor facilities feature flat access. The first-floor Great Hall is accessible via a lift located near the accessible entrance (suitable for standard wheelchairs; most mobility scooters will not fit).
Facilities & Seating
Toilets: An accessible toilet with an emergency pull cord is located in the ground-floor lift lobby.
Seating: Dedicated wheelchair spaces are available on the upper tier of the Great Hall, accommodating up to six users and their carers.
Essential Companions: We offer a free ticket for one essential companion for disabled visitors; please contact our box office in advance to arrange this.
Tickets
We offer free tickets for carers. Contact us to check availability.
If you wish to make a group booking, please contact shona.munro@rtpi.org.uk
Refreshments
Ticket price includes welcome drinks and buffet dinner there will also be an open bar.